Time alone? What’s that you may ask? When you are a parent, do you ever get time alone? It is such a foreign thing.
That is why, when it comes along, you don’t know what to do with yourself. Maybe your children have fallen asleep earlier than usual, or they have been invited over to a friend's house. This can often lead to parents feeling lost and stuck. Their whole identity has been about being a parent and their whole life revolved around the needs of their children.
So what on earth do you do when you get some free time?
If you have found yourself in this position, then you have come to the right place. Here are some top ideas on what to do with the previous time alone as a parent.
#1 Catch up on sleep
This is the less ideal option, as you want to make the most of your time. But if you are sleep deprived, then you must take some self-care action and meet the needs of your mind and body. Sleep is crucial and you need to be well-rested to be able to show up for yourself and your children.
#2 Cook a nourishing meal
When was the last time in your busy schedule you cooked and enjoyed a nourishing meal? You might have to cook for the whole house, but do you ever get the meal that you want? Consider your favourite meal, and pudding, and make it for yourself. Get comfortable and enjoy every moment and sit quietly enjoying your meal!
#3 Play some games
A low-effort but still enjoyable activity to do is play some games. You don’t have to get ready or leave the house. You can simply get out a board game, or a puzzle, or head online to Spinni Casino where you have a variety of games to play. This enables you to switch off from the world, but do something fun with your time! You can’t go wrong with games.
#4 Catch up with a friend
Social interaction is really important for any human being. This can be hard to do when you have commitments such as children, work, cooking, chores and more. When you get some free time, why not meet up with a trusted friend or family member? It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, it could simply be for a walk, coffee and chat. Socialising is a great way to nourish your mind and meet your need for connection and community. You are likely to feel great after meeting up with a friend, getting out of the house and being able to talk to someone you can trust.
Having children is one of the best things in life, but it does become your whole life. Consider what things you like doing and how you can best spend your time when you get that rare time alone without the children! This will ensure you do things for yourself and look after yourself as much as possible.